Stand Safety

This has been bothering me for years so I am finally going to do something about it. I look for others to chime in where I miss the mark.

The biggest danger I have always faced when stand hunting is climbing in and out. Especially gun season when I am heavily dressed and climbing is more cumbersome. Given the type of stand I have used for over a decade its a miracle I havent fallen. This year things are changing.

I got this from my brother this summer when helping him remove a stand. You can buy these but it seems simple enough to make on your own for a fraction of the cost.

Get a rope that will suppor your weight and tie to the tree above your stand. Tie off the bottom as well so the rope is not jut dangling. Use a smaller length of rope to tie a prusik or helical knot to the saftey line. Link at bottom. I plan to put a loop on that peice of rope then use a caribbeaner to connect to my harness. I will pull the rope up/down as I go and leave it connected while in the stand. I know this wont work for hunters that like to lean out on their straps but for those that do not I dont see how you can suffer a terrible fall doing this. Many of you know more about this than me. Please chime in and help me perfect this procedure so that its easy and people will do it.

http://www.cave.org.vt.edu/knots.shtml#SECTION00010300000000000000

Hunter’s Safety System sells the exact thing you describe called a lifeline. It is what I do when climbing. I want to build my own but I am having trouble finding the proper rope. Fleet Farm etc does not have the right rope and you also need caribiner designed to support humans. I was told you need ton have certain diameter rope for prussic knot. They cannot be same diameter the prussic is slightly smaller. Post if you find source for ropes.

Mwal

I would recommend looking at REI or some other store that carries rock climbing gear.

I just got back from REI where I purchased a load bearing caribeaner. I also purchased the thinnest poly roap they had that would support this scenerio. I will use that to make the Prusik knot attaching to larger main line rope I already had. Maybe I should post some pics when complete?

REI has the rope for sure but northern hydraulics has always carried a wide selection of those ropes so I would say there for sure.

Yes, pics please and a short how to would be appreciated.

Here it is fellas. I had the main rope (green) laying around. I purchased it from northern hydraulics in the past. I bought the smaller blue rope from REI along with the load bearing caribbeaner for $12. They had cheaper caribbeaners but I thought that design was cool. The climbing expert at REI indicated this smaller rope would grip the larger rope better yet is was still rated for the application.(6 MM) Both REI and my brother recommended the PRUSIK knot. The link above shows how to tie it but what it doesnt make clear is that you need to wrap the knot at least 2-3 times. Not once. I looped that simple knot 3 times for the pic and I think that should be the minimum. Im sure it depends on the stifness/thickness of the roap you are using. Stiffer and thicker equal more wraps.

The tag end of the blue rope can be tied any way you want to make a loop for the caribbeaner. Then just clip to your harness. Done for the day. Tie the main line above your stand and ground level. I anticipate just wrapping it around the tree and tieing tight.

It appears to work as advertised. You can loosen the knot and it may slide on its own but with any kind of angular pressure or quick jerk it tightens and wont move. More than likely you will need to reach out and slide it up with your hand as you climb. I cant wait to mount it when I put my stand up this weekend. For the type of stand hunting I do this will be the only connection I need for safety all day long and, other than putting the harness on, no trouble at all.

Seems simple enough BUT, I have a question?
WHY the Prusik knot which can and does get REAL tight and hard to loosen once ‘your weight load falls on this knot’ versus say the The “Klemheist” and “AutoBlock” Knot??
I’m no rock climber, but was asked to ask when I was talking about this and how it’d be used..

Quote:

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Seems simple enough BUT, I have a question?
WHY the Prusik knot which can and does get REAL tight and hard to loosen once ‘your weight load falls on this knot’ versus say the The “Klemheist” and “AutoBlock” Knot??
I’m no rock climber, but was asked to ask when I was talking about this and how it’d be used..

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You sound like the knot expert. Why dont you tell us?
I just put my entire body weight on the prusik and it easily loosens back up with one finger. with the size of these ropes I dont see how it could possibly cinch up too tight.

I think the ‘secret’ you have there is the two different sized ropes….I have so got to try that. (But can’t right now – arms in a sling )
Thanks

Found this:
http://www.chockstone.org/techtips/prusik.htm
Hope that link works, but maybe this is why I asked?
(still a kid a heart – always asking why, or why not?)
out

Sorry if I’m being dense here but I want to put this into practice.

Is it incumbent upon the climber to catch himself with the rope while climbing? Or is there some type of mechanism built in that catches you? Just knowing that I’m using both my hands while climbing, how would you manage the rope?

Can you explain the ‘catch’ portion if a fall or slip were to occur while climbing?

Also, do you tie to tree above the stand or loop it over a large branch if available?

I was putting up a stand last week and slipped before I had my climbing ladder fully attached to the tree. I was able to catch myself but made me think what if I would have missed?

Eric

The main line is secured above your stand, back to the ground. The other rope will be attached to your safety harness via the caribbeaner . You will have to slide the knot up the main line as you climb. Should you fall, the knot will tighten you’ll be hanging from the main line.

What Kooty said. Of course you need to be extra carefull the first time or two you climb without the safety system in place.